Neck pillow having a strap

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a neck pillow having a strap to support and comport the neck and the lower head of a user for providing support, comfort, safety, convenience and convenient carriage. The neck pillow includes first and second fabric layers, having a central portion, a left side portion, a right side portion, and a strap portion. The neck pillow further includes an elastic band placed between the strap portions. The central portion is constructed in a substantially hemispheric form and the left and right side portions extend and taper upwardly from the central portion. Additionally, the strap portion is configured to form a hemispheric shape and extends towards the left and right side portions.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a neck pillow having a strap and, more particularly, to a neck pillow having a strap to support and comport the neck and the lower head of a user for providing support, comfort, safety, convenience and convenient carriage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A pillow is designed to provide support and comfort to the head, neck, and body of a user, and specifically, a neck pillow has been introduced to help support and comfort a user's head and neck during traveling by airplane, train, bus or a car. Conventional neck pillows are generally U-shaped or C-shaped to fit about the neck of a user and filled with fillers, such as cotton, wool, foam, etc.

However, those neck pillows surround a user's neck and inconvenience him. He or she may feel stuffy or congested, making him or her sweating, and her makeup may be scrubbed and partially removed around her neck, chin and lower cheeks, annoying her. In addition, those neck pillows are open at one side and thus, they are easily slipped out of a user's neck and they are not convenient to carry. Oftentimes, a string is attached to the neck pillows for convenient carriage, but a user still has to tie and untie the string before using or carrying the pillow. Furthermore, the neck pillows are designed only to fit around a user's neck and thus, their use is limited.

Accordingly, to solve the above problems, a need for a neck pillow having a strap to support the neck and the lower head of a user has been present for a long time considering the expansive demands in the everyday life. This invention is directed to solve these problems and satisfy the long-felt need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention contrives to solve the disadvantages of the prior art. Additionally, the present invention is contrived to provide therapeutic effects to alleviate osteopenia or neck hernia. The present invention provides a neck pillow having a strap and a method for manufacturing the same.

The object of the invention is to provide a neck pillow having a strap to support and comport the neck and the lower head of a user for providing support, comfort, safety, convenience and convenient carriage. The neck pillow includes first and second fabric layers, having a central portion, a left side portion, a right side portion, and a strap portion. The neck pillow further includes an elastic band placed between the strap portions.

Experiments show that the present invention relieves pain in a person's neck or shoulder and helps cure neck stiffness. Furthermore, the present invention is very effective in treating osteopenia and neck hernia.

Another object of the invention is to provide a neck pillow having a strap, comprising first and second fabric layers, and an elastic band. The fabric layer includes a central portion, a left side portion, a right side portion, and a strap portion. The central portion is constructed in a substantially hemispheric form and the left and right side portions extend and taper upwardly from the central portion. Additionally, the strap portion is configured to form a hemispheric shape and extends towards the left and right side portions.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a neck pillow having a strap, comprising first and second fabric layers, and an elastic band. The first and second fabric layers are substantially identical and sewn together along the edges of the fabric layers, and the elastic band is sewn to the strap portions of the first and second fabric layers. The inner space, defined by the central portions and side portions of the first and second fabric layers, is filled with an elastic material to form a U-shaped or C-shaped neck pillow.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a neck pillow having a strap, comprising first and second fabric layers, and an elastic band. The elastic material filling the inner space is micro-polyester and the weight of the neck pillow is about 400 grams. Preferably, the inner space is filled with 100% micro-polyester fill. The first and second fabric layers may be made of 100% of cotton, or 50% of cotton and 50% of silk.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a method of manufacturing a neck pillow having a strap. The method includes cutting a fabric to produce the first and second fabric layers, sewing the first and second fabric layers together except a small opening portion, inserting an elastic band and sewing it to the strap portions of the first and second fabric layers, filling the inner space with an elastic material, and sewing the small opening portion. The method may further include the step of applying anti-slip material to the strap portions.

The advantages of the present invention are: (1) the present invention provides a neck pillow having a strap and a method of manufacturing the same to support and comport the neck and the lower head of a user for providing support, comfort, safety, convenience and convenient carriage; (2) the present invention provides a neck pillow to fully support and comport the neck of a user and the lower peripheral area of a head of the user for maximized comport of a user's head and neck; (3) the present invention relieves pain in a person's neck or shoulder and helps cure neck stiffness and it is very effective in treating osteopenia and neck hernia; (4) the neck pillow of the present invention can be hung around a head rest of a seat or chair and thus, it does not fall or slip out of one's neck; (5) the neck pillow of the present invention is easy and convenient to carry because of the strap of the invention; and (6) the neck pillow of the present invention does not scrub or interfere with makeup of a user and does not make a user sweat.

Although the present invention is briefly summarized, the fuller understanding of the invention can be obtained by the following drawings, detailed description and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the neck pillow of the present invention;

FIG. 2A shows the first fabric layer of the neck pillow of the present invention;

FIG. 2B shows the second fabric layer of the neck pillow of the present invention

FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the first and second fabric layers sewn together according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the neck pillow of the present invention, illustrating the elastic band;

FIG. 5 shows steps of the method to manufacture the neck pillow of the present invention;

FIG. 6 shows a use by a sleeping person of the neck pillow of the present invention;

FIG. 7 shows the neck pillow of the present invention hung around the head rest of a seat;

FIG. 8 shows the way to carry the neck pillow of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 illustrates that the present invention provides a complete support to a user's neck, shoulder, and lower head.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the neck pillow 100 of the present invention and FIGS. 2A and 2B respectively show the first and second fabric layers 10, 20 of the present invention.

The neck pillow having a strap 100 according to the present invention comprises a first fabric layer 10 and a second fabric layer 20. The first and second fabric layers 10, 20 are substantially identical.

The first fabric layer 10 includes a first central portion 12, constructed in a substantially hemispheric form; a first left side portion 14, extending upwardly from an upper left end of the first central portion 12; a first right side portion 16, extending upwardly from an upper right end of the first central portion 12; and a first strap portion 18 configured to form a hemispheric shape, extending towards an upper end of the first left side portion 14 and an upper end of the first right side portion 16. The second fabric layer 20 also includes a second central portion 22, constructed in a substantially hemispheric form; a second left side portion 24, extending upwardly from an upper left end of the second central portion 22; a second right side portion 26, extending upwardly from an upper right end of the second central portion 22; and a second strap portion 28 configured to form a hemispheric shape, extending towards an upper end of the second left side portion 24 and an upper end of the second right side portion 26. FIGS. 2A and 2B show the structure and dimensions of the first and second fabric layers, units being inches.

The neck pillow 100 additionally includes an elastic band 30 placed between the first strap portion 18 and the second strap portion 28. The first and second fabric layers 10, 20 are substantially identical and sewn together as shown in FIG. 3 and the inner space defined by the first and second fabric layers 10, 20, excluding the space between the first and second strap portions 18, 28, is filled with an elastic material to form a U-shaped neck pillow 100. Alternatively, the inner space may be defined by the first and second central portions 12, 22 and the first left, first right, second left and second right portions 14, 16, 24, 26.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show dimensions of the first and second fabric layers 10, 20, and the units are inches. The first central portion 12 has a first vertical radius of 7 to 7.5 inches and a second horizontal radius of 8 to 9 inches, substantially hemispherically tapering from the vertical width towards sides of the hemispherical form. The second central portion 22 also has a second vertical radius of 7 to 7.5 inches and a second horizontal radius of 8 to 9 inches, substantially hemispherically tapering from the vertical width towards sides of the hemispherical form.

Preferably, the first and second vertical radiuses are about 7.5 inches and the first and second horizontal radiuses are about 8.5 inches as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B.

The first left side portion 14 extends and tapers upwardly from the left upper end of the first central portion 12, having a vertical length of 5 to 6 inches and tapering to a width of 4 and 4.5 inches, and the first right side portion 16 extends and tapers upwardly from the right upper end of the first central portion 12, having a vertical length of 5 to 6 inches and tapering to a width of 4 and 4.5 inches. Additionally, the second left side portion 24 extends and tapers upwardly from the upper left end of the second central portion 22, having a vertical length of 5 to 6 inches and tapering to a width of 4 and 4.5 inches, and the second right side portion 26 extends and tapers upwardly from the upper right end of the second central portion 22, having a vertical length of 5 to 6 inches and tapering to a width of 4 and 4.5 inches.

Preferably, the first left and right side portions 14, 16 and the second left and right side portions 24, 26 have the vertical length of about 5.5 inches, the first left and right side portions 14, 16 and the second left and right side portions 24, 26 taper to a width of about 4.25 inches.

The first strap portion 18 has a hemispheric shape having inner and outer radiuses with a horizontal width of 4 to 4.5 inches and a vertical width of 1.75 to 2.25 inches. The second strap portion 28 is substantially identical to the first strap portion. Preferably, the first and second strap portions 18, 28 have a horizontal width of about 4.25 inches and a vertical width of about 2 inches as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B.

The elastic material, filling the inner space, may be cotton, wool, foam, micro-polyester, duck or goose down, polyester, nylon, natural fabric, or synthetic fabric. Preferably, the elastic material consists of 100% micro-polyester fill and the weight of the neck pillow is about 350 to 410 grams, preferably about 400 grams. Alternatively, the weight of the neck pillow is about 350 grams. Weight of 400 grams generally provides the best comfort, but weight of 350 grams is more effective when a user is suffering from neck stiffness or other pains in his neck or shoulder. According to tests and experiments, when the first and second fabric layers have the dimensions as in FIGS. 2A and 2B, and the elastic material of micro-polyester has the weight of about 400 grams, a user feels maximum support of his neck and sides of his head. Additionally, he can comfortably turn his head a little towards left or right, still feeling the support to his neck and lower sides of his head. FIG. 6 shows a person using the neck pillow 100 while sleeping.

The first and second fabric layers 10, 20 may be made of cotton, or alternatively, about 50% of cotton and about 50% of silk. When silk is added, makeup of a user is not rubbed, scrubbed or interfered with. Alternatively, the first and second fabric layers 10, 20 may be made of polyester.

The first and second strap portions 18, 28 may further include anti-slip material for maintaining the position of the neck pillow relative to a seat when in use. Alternatively, the first and second strap portions 18, 28 may be made of non-slip fabric.

As shown in FIG. 4, the elastic band 30 is sewn to the upper left end of the first left side portion 14, the upper right end of the first right side portion 16, the upper left end of the second left side portion 24, and the upper right end of the second right side portion 26. Additionally, the elastic band 30 may be sewn to about middle of the first and second strap portions 18, 28. The elastic band 30 is elastic and stretchable, and thus, the neck pillow 100 can be hung around a head rest of a seat or chair. Because of the strap portions 18, 28 and the elastic band 30, the neck pillow 100 does not fall or slip out of one's neck and it is easy and convenient to carry. FIG. 7 shows the neck pillow 100 hung around the head rest of a seat and FIG. 8 shows the way to carry the neck pillow 100. The first and second strap portions 18, 28 may include anti-slip material or be made of non-slip fabric, and the elastic band 30 is elastic and stretchable. Accordingly, the neck pillow does not fall or slip out of the head rest.

FIG. 5 shows steps of the method to manufacture the neck pillow having a strap 100 of the present invention. The steps include cutting a fabric to produce a first fabric layer; cutting a fabric to produce a second fabric layer; sewing the first and second fabric layers together along inner and outer seams, except a small opening portion 110, wherein the small opening portion 110 is not located either at the first strap portion or the second strap portion; inserting an elastic band through the small opening portion 110 to place between the first and second strap portions; sewing the elastic band to the left end of the first left side portion, the right end of the first right side portion, the left end of the second left side portion, and the right end of the second right side portion; sewing the elastic band to about middle of the first and second strap portions; filling an inner space, defined by the first fabric layer and the back fabric layer, except the first and second strap portions, with an elastic material to form a U-shaped neck pillow; and sewing the small opening portion 110. The small opening is preferably located at side of the left or right side portions 14, 16, 24, 26.

The first fabric layer 10 includes a first central portion 12, constructed in a substantially hemispheric form; a first left side portion 14, extending upwardly from a left end of the first central portion 12; a first right side portion 16, extending upwardly from an upper right end of the first central portion 12; and a first strap portion 18 configured to form a hemispheric shape, extending towards an upper end of the first left side portion 14 and an upper end of the first right side portion 16. The second fabric layer 20 is substantially identical to the first fabric layer 10. The second fabric layer 20 includes a second central portion 22, constructed in a substantially hemispheric form; a second left side portion 24, extending upwardly from an upper left end of the second central portion 22; a second right side portion 26, extending upwardly from an upper right end of the second central portion 22; and a second strap portion 28 configured to form a hemispheric shape, extending towards an upper end of the second left side portion 24 and an upper end of the second right side portion 26. The method may further include the step of applying anti-slip material to the first and second strap portions 18, 28.

FIG. 9 illustrates that the present invention provides a complete support to a user's neck, shoulder, and lower head. Experiments show that the present invention relieves pain in a person's neck or shoulder and helps cure neck stiffness. Furthermore, the present invention is very effective in treating osteopenia and neck hernia. These advantages have been achieved by the present invention's unique structure, including, but not limited to, dimensions and structure of the first and second fabrics, the weight of the neck pillow, materials of the elastic material and fabrics.

While the invention has been shown and described with reference to different embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations in form, detail, compositions and operation may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the accompanying claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A neck pillow having a strap, comprising: a first fabric layer, which comprises a first central portion, constructed in a substantially hemispheric form; a first left side portion, extending upwardly from an upper left end of the first central portion; a first right side portion, extending upwardly from an upper right end of the first central portion; and a first strap portion configured to form a hemispheric shape, extending towards an upper end of the first left side portion and an upper end of the first right side portion; a second fabric layer, substantially identical to the first fabric layer, which comprises a second central portion, constructed in a substantially hemispheric form; a second left side portion, extending upwardly from an upper left end of the second central portion; a second right side portion, extending upwardly from an upper right end of the second central portion; and a second strap portion configured to form a hemispheric shape, extending towards a left end of the second left side portion and a right end of the second right side portion; and an elastic band placed between the first strap portion and the second strap portion; wherein the first fabric layer and the second fabric layer are substantially identical and sewn together; wherein an inner space defined by the first fabric layer and the second fabric layer, except the first and second strap portions, is filled with an elastic material to form a U-shaped neck pillow.
 2. The neck pillow of claim 1, wherein the first central portion has a first vertical radius of 7 to 7.5 inches and a second horizontal radius of 8 to 9 inches, substantially hemispherically tapering from the vertical width; and wherein the second central portion has a second vertical radius of 7 to 7.5 inches and a second horizontal radius of 8 to 9 inches, substantially hemispherically tapering from the vertical width.
 3. The neck pillow of claim 2, wherein the first and second vertical radiuses are about 7.5 inches and the first and second horizontal radiuses are about 8.5 inches.
 4. The neck pillow of claim 2, wherein the first left side portion extends and tapers upwardly from the left upper end of the first central portion, having a vertical length of 5 to 6 inches and tapering to a width of 4 and 4.5 inches; wherein the first right side portion extends and tapers upwardly from the right upper end of the first central portion, having a vertical length of 5 to 6 inches and tapering to a width of 4 and 4.5 inches; wherein the second left side portion extends and tapers upwardly from the upper left end of the second central portion, having a vertical length of 5 to 6 inches and tapering to a width of 4 and 4.5 inches; wherein the second right side portion extends and tapers upwardly from the upper right end of the second central portion, having a vertical length of 5 to 6 inches and tapering to a width of 4 and 4.5 inches.
 5. The neck pillow of claim 4, wherein the first left and right side portions and the second left and right side portions have the vertical length of about 5.5 inches, and the first left and right side portions and the second left and right side portions taper to a width of about 4.25 inches.
 6. The neck pillow of claim 4, wherein the first strap portion has a horizontal width of 4 to 4.5 inches and a vertical width of 1.75 to 2.25 inches; and wherein the second strap portion has a horizontal width of 4 to 4.5 inches and a vertical width of 1.75 to 2.25 inches.
 7. The neck pillow of claim 6, wherein the first strap portion has a horizontal width of about 4.25 inches and a vertical width of about 2 inches; and wherein the second strap portion has a horizontal width of about 4.25 inches and a vertical width of about 2 inches.
 8. The neck pillow of claim 6, wherein the elastic material is cotton, wool, foam, micro-polyester, duck or goose down, polyester, nylon, natural fabric, or synthetic fabric.
 9. The neck pillow of claim 6, wherein the elastic material is micro-polyester.
 10. The neck pillow of claim 9, wherein weight of the neck pillow is about 350 to 410 grams.
 11. The neck pillow of claim 9, wherein weight of the neck pillow is about 400 grams.
 12. The neck pillow of claim 9, wherein weight of the neck pillow is about 350 grams.
 13. The neck pillow of claim 6, wherein the first and second fabric layers are made of cotton.
 14. The neck pillow of claim 6, wherein the first and second fabric layers are made of about 50% of cotton and about 50% of silk.
 15. The neck pillow of claim 6, wherein the first and second fabric layers are made of polyester.
 16. The neck pillow of claim 6, wherein the first and second strap portions include anti-slip material for maintaining the position of the neck pillow relative to a seat when in use.
 17. The neck pillow of claim 1, wherein the elastic band is stretchable.
 18. The neck pillow of claim 1, wherein the elastic band is sewn to the upper left end of the first left side portion, the upper right end of the first right side portion, the upper left end of the second left side portion, and the upper right end of the second right side portion.
 19. A method of manufacturing a neck pillow having a strap comprising the steps of: cutting a fabric to produce a first fabric layer wherein the first fabric layer comprises a first central portion, constructed in a substantially hemispheric form; a first left side portion, extending upwardly from an upper left end of the first central portion; a first right side portion, extending upwardly from an upper right end of the first central portion; and a first strap portion configured to form a hemispheric shape, extending towards an upper end of the first left side portion and an upper end of the first right side portion; cutting a fabric to produce a second fabric layer, substantially identical to the first fabric layer, which comprises a second central portion, constructed in a substantially hemispheric form; a second left side portion, extending upwardly from an upper left end of the second central portion; a second right side portion, extending upwardly from a upper right end of the second central portion; and a second strap portion configured to form a hemispheric shape, extending towards an upper end of the second left side portion and an upper end of the second right side portion; sewing the first and second fabric layers together along inner and outer seams, except a small opening portion, wherein the small opening portion is not located either at the first strap portion or the second strap portion; inserting an elastic band through the small opening portion to place between the first and second strap portions; sewing the elastic band to the left end of the first left side portion, the right end of the first right side portion, the left end of the second left side portion, and the right end of the second right side portion; sewing the elastic band to about middle of the first and second strap portions; filling an inner space, defined by the first fabric layer and the second fabric layer, except the first and second strap portions, with an elastic material to form a U-shaped neck pillow; and sewing the small opening portion.
 20. The method of claim 19 further comprising the step of applying anti-slip material to the first and second strap portions. 